"Firstly, let me say this to you and to the audience in the Pacific, I love the Pacific and I have loved doing this job," he said.

"It has been the great honour of my professional life."

Mr Marles has become a well-known face in the Pacific as Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, working with the region at times of political upheaval in Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

He says the Pacific faces enormous challenges and it's important Australia play its role "sensitively and with interest and dedication".